Death-Defying 'Devil #5 - Dynamite Entertainment

DEATH-DEFYING 'DEVIL No. 5, December 2019

Initially appearing, for all intents and purposes, as an issue-long punch-up between this comic’s titular character and Lucifer himself, Gail Simone’s script for this final instalment to her “Death-Defying Devil” mini-series probably caught a fair few of the book’s readers off-guard with its subtle shift in focus away from the fisticuffs. In fact, the American author’s script for this twenty-two page periodical rather cleverly brings some clarity to much of this title’s lengthy story-line, as it becomes increasingly clear that Bart Hill’s battle “to protect the residents of the Winslow House from the evil that wants their home” was never really about the physical fighting, but more about him building up an unassailable bond of trust with the buildings numerous tenants.

Of course, that doesn’t mean for a second that the costumed crime-fighter doesn’t spend a fair proportion of this publication trading blows with the personification of evil, or rather reeling from a veritable torrent of flesh-rending claw-swipes, hoof-stomps and bone-cracking grapples. However, arguably the real action actually takes place on the haunted dwelling’s main porch, as Satan’s son tries to shatter the strong sense of loyalty the vulnerable inhabitants have developed for the masked vigilante by offering them their heart’s deepest desire in return for just three words - “I rebuke him.”

Such emotional turmoil really is at the heart of this wonderfully penned piece, with each member of Simone’s supporting cast seeming to have an awful lot to gain by making a deal with the devil, and it genuinely appears that at any moment one of the residents will finally give in to the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. Indeed, just as a badly bloodied Bart haplessly lies at the feet of his apparently victorious, horned opponent and all appears lost, it is the solidarity of Staff Sergeant Crouse, Roberto, Yolanda, Mister Tubbins, and Miss Thomas which ultimately wins through to send an impotent Mister Bedlam and his weakened father straight back to Hell.

Providing this comic with plenty of dynamically-drawn action-packed panels, as well as prodigiously portraying the internal struggles upon the pained faces of this comic’s “good people”, is Walter Geovani. The Brazilian visual artist really does help imbue “Devilson” with all the haughty arrogance and overconfidence a bibliophile would expect from Satan’s offspring, and the wicked creature’s eventual disbelief at being outplayed at his own deceitful game is undoubtedly the highlight of this book.

The regular cover art of "DEATH-DEFYING 'DEVIL" No. 5 by Inhyuk Lee